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1.1(of a thing) strike against (something) when working; get in the way of.

‘the rotors are widely separated and do not interfere with one another’

‘It will also interfere with electronic ignition systems and stop vehicles.’

‘The developers must also determine how to control magnetic fields in each memory cell, to stop the fields from interfering with their neighbors and creating errors.’

‘This is important because I want to lower the 5030 below the bar when I'm launching from the cart and my bridle would normally interfere with any instruments on the base bar.’

‘Differential pairs have to be used, and that means having to add shielding around the pins and often using extra pins to provide round planes to stop the signals interfering with each other through crosstalk at these speeds.’

‘Something I found curious was the fact that to fit in some audio headers where the PCI slots were to be placed, and to stop the cards from interfering with the header, the pins were bent at a 90 degree angle.’

1.2Handle or adjust (something) without permission, especially so as to cause damage.

‘he admitted interfering with a van’

‘Ballast and a lump of concrete had been placed on the line and the youngsters had been seen throwing stones while running on the tracks and interfering with signalling equipment.’

‘All seven species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered, so it is illegal to harm or interfere with a sea turtle or its eggs.’

‘It is stated that any person who tampers or interferes with any aircraft or its equipment commits an offence and will be liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000.’

‘Wohler's criminal record included offences of going equipped for theft, criminal damage, aggravated vehicle taking, interfering with a vehicle and disqualified driving.’

‘He once threatened me with a knife after I stopped him interfering with a vehicle left in by a customer.’

‘She sentenced Cradden to six months imprisonment for malicious damage to a car and a further three months for interfering with a car, both to run consecutively.’

‘The teenager must not interfere with, damage or take without consent any vehicle or any other property.’

‘She was arrested and charged with criminal damage, assault, interfering with motor vehicles, aggravated trespass and harassment, and causing alarm and distress.’

‘This year alone he has been charged with arson, criminal damage, interfering with a car and two counts of common assault.’

‘Dr Brewer, who is now retired, is also accused of seeking to interfere with potential witnesses to the Professional Conduct Committee.’

‘Woodall and Douglas, 35, formerly of Almsford Oval, Harrogate, deny a charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by interfering with witnesses.’

‘Gardai, however, can still prosecute people for obstructing justice or interfering with a witness.’

‘The attorney general can take proceedings for contempt of court against anyone who attempts to interfere with a witness.’

‘The teenager was given bail on the condition he does not approach or interfere with prosecution witnesses.’

2Take part or intervene in an activity without invitation or necessity.

‘she tried not to interfere in her children's lives’

‘Ensure the judiciary are not in a position to interfere in matters National Security.’

‘This, of course, does not stop her noseying around, interfering and gossiping to her heart's content, especially to her completely hen-pecked hubby Norman.’

‘‘Let me be clear, the international community is sending the force to assist the Afghans, not to interfere in their affairs,’ he said.’

‘She is the archetypal interfering Jewish mother, and wastes little time in exerting her influence over the new occupants.’

‘We will not allow anyone to interfere in our internal affairs.’

‘He is said to have added, ‘We have to preserve this country by respecting the professionals and not interfere in their work.’’

‘‘We will always be open and helpful,’ he said, expressing hope that the Attorney General's Office would not interfere in the matter.’

‘Ida Willis is a no-nonsense, interfering housekeeper whose temperament is ill-suited to her clients.’

‘He is good at standing back and not interfering too much, just being there as a shoulder to cry on if I need it.’

‘Starring Sally Phillips as Clare, the control freak who likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives, this series finds her still struggling to control both her professional and private life.’

‘The Television New Zealand Act specifically prevents me from interfering in the day-to-day operations of broadcasting, including programming decisions.’

‘Some say that it is not right for us to interfere in Austrian politics.’

‘The relevant people should not make a fuss and should not interfere in business deals for political reasons.’

‘But she'd promised herself she'd never interfere in a situation like that - and she didn't.’

‘He assured them he would not interfere in their affairs.’

‘We've interfered in their lives, their economies and everything, and now because it suits, we say that we cannot interfere in their internal affairs.’

‘Ms Moylan told the Herald: ‘My personal view is that the law should not interfere in this.’’

‘But if it tries not to interfere in the affairs of another country it is seen as sacrificing a life.’

‘He added: ‘It strikes me that it also goes against the constantly stated commitment to not interfere in the admissions processes of universities.’’

‘Two, I don't interfere in my brother's professional life, just as he doesn't interfere in my political life.’

‘If you have any concerns about how your equine friend will behave, or if he has shown a penchant for interfering or stepping on himself while moving, you may want to put protective boots or wraps on his legs.’

‘When she was leading her horse from the corral the other horse interfered, causing the lead rope to tighten around Keely's hand, resulting in a serious injury.’

Origin

Late Middle English: from Old French s'entreferir strike each other from entre- between + ferir (from Latin ferire to strike).